Nursing Favorites

1. Nipple Cream: This is a given (I think) but I hate lansinoh. It's hard and made of junk. I never felt any relief with it the first time around. This time I found Earth Mama Natural Nipple Butter. It's amazing! It's smooth, goes on easily, and is all organic. It seems expensive but you won't need more than one bottle. I also tried the Boobease 100% Organic Healing Nipple Balm and liked it just the same. I brought it to the hospital and started using it right away.

2. Breast pads: In the beginning I found these to be the most helpful and gentle on that very sensitive body part! They are cute, organic, and washable. They are from the Etsy shop nicolesbreastfriends. 

Now I use the disposable cheap ones from Target that are thin. 

3. Tylenol: I used the painkillers the doctor gave me for postpartum really for breastfeeding. They prescribe those bad boys for a reason :)
4. Netflix: Find a series (multiple series) it really helps pass the time when you are nursing for hours a day and then you look forward to sitting still to watch a show and nurse the baby. I could never read books because I would fall asleep but the series kept me awake and on task.
5. Sports Bra: Those soft cushy ones from Target are much better than night time nursing bras and they expand with you during the night.
6. Nursing Clothes: I would stick with the pajamas you bought for the hospital and maybe one or two shirts for the first couple weeks but after than you can pretty much nurse in anything.
7. The Medela Pump: It's the best one out there and for good reason. Order free through your insurance before the baby arrives because you will need it once your milk comes in!

My Breastfeeding Story Take 2

If you didn't read about the first go around the short version is it didn't. During my (very stressful) pregnancy I was most worried about breastfeeding (when I wasn't worried about her health, etc). I really wanted it to work this time. I felt so awful that it didn't work out for Jackson. So I first read Breastfeeding Take 2 I recommend this book to read for the first go around really. It was very helpful on all the things to expect when people are trying to "help", how to make realistic goals, and I actually learned more in the book than any other about the general dos/don'ts. I LOVED it for the second go around because it made me realize that I did the best I could with the knowledge I had at the time for Jackson. End of story. I couldn't have known that he tongue tie was causing poor latch issues which was causing about a million other issues because I had never been through it. I didn't really know any one who breastfed or was breastfeeding at the time to ask. My mom never had issues with me so she was at a loss. The book allows you to heal and then make a plan to move forward. The one advice I didn't take from the book was to get rid of all free formula. No formula in the house. I was too scared to get rid of it. But as time has gone on we only have a little stash as back up in the house! In which I tell everyone it is not allowed to be used! As I got closer to my due date I did go back through Breastfeeding Made Simple. I would often comment on how it's not simple but whatever it is a good book for references. Now for Miss Brooklyn Clare…

As you know Brooklyn was born MED free and fast. When she came out she immediately was rooting in which I kinda panicked. And asked the nurse…ummm I think she's hungry. She didn't hear me so I just let her start feeding, luckily she latch right away. And she nursed for 3 hours!! I would take her off and she would want right back on. Of course it went from oh she's doing great! to I think you should give her formula. WHAT?! We are only a couple hours in and we are already talking formula. I ignored them and just kept going. I eventually did get a pacifier (which she hated) but it gave me some relief. The first day went amazing and then day two hit.

It was like she forgot how to do it. She was screaming and getting frustrated. I was getting frustrated. Finally I told the nurses about Jackson's tongue tie and his nursing and the FINALLY sent in the lactation consultant who was concerned. She agreed (with me) that Brooklyn not only had a tongue tie but a lip one as well. We both agreed to see ENT when we were discharged. Of course the neonatologists disagreed saying "oh it's not that bad." I wanted to say "do you have bloody nipples? Because if you did you wouldn't say that." The one even said, "if you can't keep up just give her formula." I ignored them and stuck with the lactation consultant, my professional opinion, and the nurses which was to see ENT.

Luckily we went to ENT the day she was discharged and he told us she had a significant tongue tie. We had the tongue tie clipped that day and made an appointment in two weeks for a follow up. The ENT told us to wait and see about the lip saying, "you will just know if it needs to be done." I wasn't too sure I would know but I did! The first week after having her tongue clipped was still extremely painful. She was nursing around the clock but every latch was so painful and more bloody nips. I finally called the ENT and said I think she needs that lip clipped. So back in we went but this time they burned the frenulum. It was awful! But really much easier to do as an infant than a child. I felt relief immediately but nursing was still painful for about another week. About the time the lip and tongue were healed and helping her latch, I got a nursing blister. I just figured it was pair for the course but then we realized I was over producing. So after we figured out how to decrease my supply, relieve the clogged duct, and ultimately get rid of the nursing blister I was finally nursing pain free about 12 times a day. I would say I was fully pain free around 6 weeks. Which if we had figured the tongue, lip, production, clogged duct, and nursing blister sooner I think the pain would have subsided sooner.

At 6 weeks though I was feeling a little overwhelmed with the fact that all I was doing was nursing 20-30 minutes 12 times a day with a toddler running around. One of my girl friends said it was completely normal and at some point she would go down to 6 times a day! It gave me hope and reassurance. Having friends who were/are nursing is extremely helping in being successful. You can't compare formal fed babies to breast fed its apples to oranges. But having that support really helped me keep going and not supplementing or even go to pumping to make things easier at the time. Now breastfeeding is WAY easier than formula feeding. It takes her 5-10 minutes and I am hands free. The bottle and/or pumping takes 3x's as long. There is nothing to clean, you don't have to pack anything when you go places. Night time is sooo easy- just feed 5 minutes and they fall asleep but them back down done. No making bottles, heating bottles, etc. I hate pumping so when I'm home she doesn't get any bottles which I also think has helped her successful breastfed for this long. She gets bottles when I am at work and when we go out on the weekends but that's it.

I actually do enjoy breastfeeding. It's our special time together. It really does create a special bond. I love at night just settling down with her until she goes to sleep… and then I hold her probably for too long but it's our time. No one else can do it or force themselves in there (like people do when you bottle feed) it's a natural time to be with your baby.

The truth is nursing is painful, it's hard, frustrating, time consuming and you will sometimes feel chained to the baby but once you get past all of that (approximately 6 weeks) it's awesome, rewarding, pain free, and a special bond. And free :) I am so happy it has worked out this time! And now that I actually see milk spilling over on Brooklyn's mouth and her gaining weight (all things that didn't happen the first time), I know I did all I could for Jackson.

In the end I have no advice because every baby is different and has different obstacles. I don't think either way is better than the other. I think formula makes healthy happy babies as well. A happy mommy = happy baby so whatever it takes to get there is what you need to do. And go back to my second time around post because really if you listen to yourself you will be much happier than trying to please everyone else.

3 months old!

Brooklyn,

       You are three months old!! I just can't believe it! Time flies when you are having fun! You are still the happiest baby I know. You go with the flow and hardly ever cry. You are quick to smile but much tougher to get to laugh…although we have heard much more laughs lately. I love taking you with me- shopping, errands, everywhere! You just hang out and smile or talk to me. You actually love shopping, probably because people make over you the whole time. We really are two peas in a pod as your dad calls it :)

       You are awesome at tummy time! You love to plank and bob your head around. It's really cute. You are SOO close to rolling over. You can go around in a circle with out quite rolling over. You actually prefer laying on your side. You love kicking your feet and hanging out in the swing or bouncer (I'm predicting a future cross country runner..). But your favorite thing is being held by mama. You just started getting upset when I put you down :(

        You were sleeping great until I went back to work and now you have decided you hate the bottle and would prefer to nurse all night. We had you taking naps in the crib but then you caught your brother's cold so back in the swing you went. 

        You are still exclusively breast fed! And no allergies so far..fingers crossed. The hemangioma seems to be fading! Hooray!

        Brooklyn you are such a joy to be around! I really think you were our little angel for 2014. You are by far the best thing that has happened this year! We can't wait to see what next month brings.

 

You two have your own looks :) Jackson's face is rounder and Brooklyn's is more oval. Jackson had dark brown eyes, Brooklyn's are blue. Different lips. Jackson loved the camera!

The second time around..

Written a month ago oops! And the picture has nothing to do with the post :)

Having Jackson was a huge adjustment to our daily life- it was good, it was bad, and yes sometimes ugly. He finally started getting easier around 9 months and then of course we decided we could handle another one :) This time around I was more much prepared for a newborn and what maternity leave would look like. I had low expectations. Like I wasn't going to leave the house for three months kind of expectations. And to be honest this time was a breeze. Sure I'm tired but I feel great! I'm enjoying maternity leave. I enjoy Brooklyn. Here is what I did differently.

1. Hold the Baby! Yes it's simple. Hold the freaking baby. I held (and still do) Brooklyn as much as I wanted or she needed. And it's shocking I know but she does fine being put down. People scare you into "spoiling the baby" or they will never let you put them down but seriously they just exited the womb it's tough being out in the world. I love holding my babies. If she had a clingy day, I just parked it on the couch and held her. I didn't stress over it. THIS WAS AMAZING. You can't get these days back so enjoy it. I regret stressing over how much I held Jackson. And really I held him a lot which is why I think he is such an affectionate little boy but why did I waste so much time forcing him to be put down? It never worked anyways :)

2. Co-sleeping. Here we go… I co-slept with Brooklyn for the first month. She needed it and I needed sleep. What baby is fine exiting the womb and going to a cold, hard crib? And guess what she sleeps in the rock n play just fine now. Again shocking I know. But I have no issues bringing her in bed when she needs it. I'm very confident she won't go to college needing me to go with her. It's also much easier for nursing, especially during growth spurts. She would eat, I would sleep.

3. Make one small goal a day. The first time around I would expect to get a ton done during the day… hahah. So this time if I got a shower I felt accomplished. Now that we are two months in I sometimes set two goals- clean bathroom and unload the dishwasher. Just get over the fact the house will be a mess. 

4. Prepare meals ahead of time. I make my lunch everyday at 10:30 and then eat it while nursing. Instead of getting frustrated because I want to eat but she needs to eat too just prepare for it. I sometimes attempt to make dinner ahead of time.. but that doesn't always work out. 

5. Get all your stuff in arms reach before they start crying. I set up my little spot of the couch with blankets, water, nipple cream, phone, iPad, remotes, etc. 

6. Let it go! The house will be messy, your toddler will watch entirely too much TV, you will order pizza far too often but this is short lived. You are in survival mode just embrace it! 

12 Weeks

12 Weeks

1st week back to work :( 

Weight:  11.8 + pounds

Sleep: Well since I went back to work and she doesn't want to eat when I'm not home…she's been getting up a lot more at night. Poor baby!

Clothes: 3 months moving to 6 months 

Visitors:  Mimi and Poppi every week but new this week was Big Daddy, Lisa, and Teagan! And mickey mouse :)

Out and About: 1st trip to Disney! She was such a little trooper! Never really cried (except the car) and just went with the flow. 

Baby Gear Love:  Our stroller was amazing at Disney! It was also so easy to take to the mall when I was shopping with just Brooklyn- I love that I can make it a single stroller or a double.

Crying:  She was clingy when I would get home from work :(

Milestones:  
She rolled over once!! And she's giggling! 

Medical: Nothing new

Diet: 100% Breast milk! First week back to work and I pumped more than she ate. I hope that keeps happening!

Postpartum: I lost another 2 so I have about 6 to go…the same place I was with Jackson at this time.

Going back to work was/is hard!! I love my job but I love being at home. It's really tough being torn two ways. Both kiddos had a hard time adjusting this week. I'm exhausted trying to work, come home put the kids to bed, wash bottles, make bottles, make lunches, and then repeat. I have a full day before I even get into work. My house is a DISASTER! I can't stand it but between all the Christmas activities, work, and trying to get Brooklyn in the crib there is barely time. Read: Need house keeper :)

11 Weeks

11 Weeks: This is going entirely too fast :( Back to work on Monday :(

Weight:  11.8+ pounds

Sleep: I accidentally did a dream feed around 9/10 ish the other night night and she slept until 5! So I did it again and she got up at 4:20. I'm going to continue this dream feed! 

Clothes: 3 months


Visitors:  None this week

Baby Gear Love:  
Nothing new this week.

Crying: Hardly any but she still cries in the car. And to get to sleep there is always some crying.

Diet: 100% Breast milk 8-10x's a day sometimes 6x's. She did not take well to the bottle on Thanksgiving but she did well with Jamie the other night so we will see how three days of bottles go when I'm at work… I still haven't figured out how to leave her for very long because even if you give her a bottle I would have to pump at the 2-3 hour mark. But for right now it's going really well. I'm a tad concerned how it's going to go pumping at work. 

Milestones:  
She seems to be really close to rolling however she isn't picking her head up as much as Jackson was at this point. She loves grabbing her blanket and putting it in her mouth. She loves sucking on her fingers. Hates the baby jungle. She will sit in the bumbo for long periods of time. 

Medical: We saw ENT this week who said: no real changes as far as the hemangioma goes, continue the medication for 6 months to a year, then we will monitor it and hope she won't need surgery. I didn't think surgery was still on the table but I guess it's a wait and see deal. We go back to cardiology in two weeks. 

Postpartum: 6-8 pounds. I lost two but to get down to where I want to be it's more like 8 pounds. I've been running and doing some homework outs as much as I can. Getting ready to go back to work has made things more difficult.

We are transitioning to the crib for naps. UGH I hate it. I would much rather cuddle her. BUT she's doing pretty well. Once I get her to sleep (which takes 30-45 minutes) she will take a 40 minute nap. That's after a million pacifier checks. I'm really hoping she figures out how to soothe with something else! She's probably ready for the crib at night but I'm not so we are going to wait for now. I'm not ready to run up and down the stairs at night and risk waking up Jackson… I'm enjoying my sleep!